Autism Awareness

Although autism spectrum disorders are rooted in early brain development, the average age most children are diagnosed is 4 1⁄2. Georgina Peacock, MD, a developmental behavioral pediatrician with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urges new parents to start tracking milestones from birth—if there’s a developmental delay, you’ll be able to seek help that much sooner.

What to look for:

Hear:

Doesn’t react to loud sounds by 2 months.

Doesn’t respond to nearby sounds by 6 months.

Doesn’t respond to own name at 9 months.

See:

Has trouble moving eyes in any direction by 4 months.

Doesn’t look where you point by 9 months.

Doesn’t seem to recognize familiar people at 9 months.

Speak:

Doesn’t coo or make sounds by 4 months.

Doesn’t start babbling by 9 months.

Doesn’t use simple words by 12 to 18 months (about six words by 18 months).